The Secret Garden — Restaurant in Doha

Even the best view and location (which this venue has) can't compensate the poor management and poor customer care. Saturday, I called around 3pm and made a reservation for 4 pax (2 couples) at 9pm. I found this place online, flew in from Dubai and wanted to meet my friends here. When first couple arrived, the story was - this table was supposed to be for you but this lady came before without reservation and we seated her at the bar but she stood up alone and took your table and she doesn't want to move. Ok, I have a reservation for 4, ask her to move of give me another table. Actually we don't take reservations, we just ask for name and how many pax so we know who to expect. We can't move her, she will be upset... Ok then we will take this table. Sorry, you can't. Why? Because it's RESERVED. This is when cool was lost and we did get a table at the end, after threatening that drama will be heard all across Kempinsky. This lady talking to us was supposed to be in charge of a sort... This sour start threw a shade on our experience at the venue and the way the lady in charge spoke to us was as if she thought we are intellectually challenged... "Actually we don't take reservations (yes you do, I called and specifically made a reservation) and this other nice table can't be for you because it's reserved. And we are OK to make 4 of you upset but not that 1 lady who stood up from the bar and took a table with 5 chairs for herself ". I am still in mild shock. Truth to be told, place looked exactly as I expected based on pictures online, and once we got the table our waitress was very nice.... but I won't be coming back soon. I can't afford flying in for weekend and having to fight...

We went for Valentines Day afternoon tea,booked via telephone,staff were more concerned about did we have a reservation rather than being made to feel welcome.No front of house to greet us on entry,find your own way to the Secret Garden from the lift,guided to a plain table not made up for Valentines Day,staff were more concerned about making videos of each other than customer service, We were given champagne once they knew we were having afternoon tea while waiting for.our food selection,it arrived with no hot beverages,had to ask if anything came with the food,what hot drinks.Hot drinks arrived and we were.never checked on again until the end.,Background music was a DJ playing loud music with swear words in the songs,not exactly a romantic setting. Not a good first impression and informed.the.management who took my details, I complained downstairs at reception as well who took my details highlighting the poor service. A 5 star view with a 1 star service,I would not recommend and will not be going back.You only get 1 chance with so much selection available in Doha and there has been no contact from anybody,poor...

The atmosohere, food, drinks were all nice until I had this bartender. It was ladies night yesterday and yes we get free drinks but you shouldn't be rude to rje customer! I got one red wine and when i went for second one. I got almost half of my previous drink. I told the bartender that its quite less. And this staff (he looked like his indian) looking at me and saying but its free. I just said it nicely that his colleague gave me more earlier. Then he asked me who and when I pointed one european staff, he said to me he will give him a warning letter.

I don't have to know what is your system and this is not the way you treat your customers. We were a big group and we ordered lots of drinks and food. He made me and my girm friends feel like we were there only for free drinks as cheap people. The way he looked at us made us feel very upset. I was very disappointed since it was in 5 star hotel and they should have good trainng for the customer service. Furthermore if this guy was manager since he said he will give the other guy a warning letter, he should...